Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Governor joins Public Safety Commissioner, State Troopers to unveil new E-85 vehicles
(Des Moines) Governor Culver joined Department of Public Safety Commissioner Eugene T. Meyer and Iowa State Patrol Colonel Robert O. Garrison to announce that the Iowa State Patrol has just received its first order of E-85 fueled Ford Crown Victoria vehicles and now they’re being outfitted as patrol cars. The iconic gold vehicles that travel the state keeping Iowa’s roadways safe, are now also helping keep the environment clean and supporting Iowa’s farmers.
“Iowa is America’s Biofuels leader, producing more ethanol and biodiesel than any other state,” said Governor Chester J. Culver. “We are the leaders in Biofuels production. And here in Iowa, where renewable energy is transforming our state, it is only fitting that our Iowa State Patrol cars run on clean-burning, Iowa-grown ethanol.”
The Iowa State Patrol now has in its possession 10 Patrol Cars that are E-85 compatible and an additional 119 E-85 compatible cars on order. In fact, from this year forward all Ford Crown Victoria cars ordered for the State Patrol will be E-85 compatible. That means in just 3 short years, the entire fleet will be able to run on the 85% corn-based fuel.
“The addition of E-85 compatible cars to our fleet and the use of Iowa grown ethanol demonstrates the Department of Public Safety’s commitment to a greater use of renewable energy,” said Commissioner Eugene T. Meyer.